A few months ago a thread titled
Bait and Switch regarding VDB compensation for volunteering our seats.
Many people felt that my characterisation of the situation as "Bait and Switch" was unreasonable, and I was to be blamed for the situation which I brought upon myself. Some personalised the issue claiming once they volunteered their seats and ended up getting nothing, suggesting that I was "well compensated". A few felt it was indeed bait and switch, while some others felt it was not simply a black and white call.
I usually do not complain, I know I should, about minor things such as malfunction of AVOD or seats, and have not complained about even some major incidents, some of which I have mentioned here on FT.
This time I drafted a note and faxed it to NW/KLM European Operations people at an address in MSP, different from that for Customer care.
After about a month, I got a response from Customer Care.
Dear Mr. Yaatri:
Thank you for writing about your recent flight experience. On behalf of
Northwest/KLM Airlines, we sincerely apologize for any misunderstanding
regarding the amount of compensation due for volunteered denied
boarding.
First, I would like to thank you and your family for volunteering
and helping us out in an overbooked situation. I regret the amount of
compensation that was promised to you was not delivered. I would be
happy to issue an additional voucher for 100 Euro which is todays
equivalent of $165.65 USD. See voucher numbers below.
- 012 XXXX XXXXXX $165.65 Yaatri
- 012 XXXX XXXXXX $165.65 Yaatri the Younger
- 012 XXXX XXXXXX $165.65 Yaatri the Youngest
................
Sd/-
Sincerely,
XXXX XXXXX
Supervisor, Customer Care
Northwest/KLM Airlines
To those of you who felt KLM did not do anything wrong, and that my complaints were hollow, NW felt otherwise. To those who were rather rude, to the extent of making remarks bordering on personal attacks, making judgement about my behaviour, I hope they will refrain from doing so in the future and apologise if they made insulting remarks about my attitude and/or eat crow.
$1.65 to 1 Euro is better rate than any I have seen.
Kudos to NW.